April 14, 2017

On Tuesday, April 18, around 7:00 a.m., crews will begin the annual city-wide spring clean up operation, sweeping the entire street network including back lanes over the next five to six weeks. Crews will initially focus on the downtown area, major routes, bridges and overpasses.

During the $6 million operation, sidewalks, active transportation pathways, boulevards and medians will also be swept on main routes, bus routes and collector streets. As well, crews will be cleaning up litter and debris within our City parks. Clean up of boulevards in residential areas will be limited to areas where there is excessive accumulation of sand.

“Our crews will be busy cleaning up sand and debris from more than 7,000 lane kilometres of streets, 1,600 lane kilometres of walkways and over 50 bridges and medians,” said Jim Berezowsky, manager of streets maintenance. “Be on the lookout for no parking signs and street cleaning equipment in your neighbourhood and remember to stay back and stay safe.”

The spring clean up operation involves over 300 pieces of equipment and approximately 500 staff, including both City and contractor personnel.

To assist in efficient street cleaning operations, temporary “no parking” signs will be placed on some streets to restrict on-street parking during scheduled cleaning times. Please note that not all streets will be signed during spring clean up. The City will only sign the streets where parked vehicles present a problem to street cleaning. When these signs are in place, motorists are encouraged to find alternate parking during the posted times to avoid being ticketed or towed.

Do your part

Citizens are urged not to rake yard waste material or other debris onto streets as this can plug drains and cause ponding problems as well as increase the risk of basement flooding. Debris should be put out for regular garbage collection. Compostable yard waste material (e.g., grass clippings, leaves) can be placed out for yard waste collection in any reusable containers without a lid, cardboard boxes, or paper yard waste bags.

This year's curbside yard waste collection program will begin the week of April 17 for homes in yard waste collection area "A" and the week of April 24 for homes in yard waste collection area "B”. Residents can also drop off yard waste for free at the Brady or Pacific 4R Winnipeg Depots. Yard waste is collected at the curb once every two weeks, on the same collection day as recycling and garbage.